Watch-case spring and holder



(No Model.)

R. P.- BURKE.

I WATCH CASE SPRING AND HOLDER. v No. 250.323. Patented Nov. 29,1881;

N. PETERS. Hunks-Lithographer. Wnshinglnn, o. c.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD F. BURKE, OF ROCHESTER, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO J. HENRY PARKER, OF TRENTON, NEW YORK.

WATCH-CASE SPRING AND HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,323, dated November 29,1881,

Application filed August 16, 1881. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD F. BURKE, a citizen of the United States of America, re siding at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Watch-Case Springs 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has relation to improvements in watch-case springs, and its objects are to provide a spring for throwing back a watchcover, and also to provide means for holding the spring in proper position in the case.

Myinvention consists in a spring with means for engaging the hinge of a watch-case, and having the rear end formed with a leg terminating in a serrated foot or base and a holdingblock fittingin the angle of the case and formed 2 5 with a curved shoulder to set against the spring, in combination with a screw through the rim of the case and passing into the holding-block.

My invention further consists in the novel construction of a holding-block, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a watch-case, showing the spring held in place by the block and screw. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the spring and block and Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view of the block, with screw, in detail. Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the holding-block.

To manufacture my improved spring and attachments, I cut from a steel wire, preferably round, a piece of proper length, having the required diameter, and flatten one end and turn it upward and to one side, forming a curved lip of the character usually found in springs of this class. The other end of the wire is flattened and bent downward at right angles, or nearly so, and in the extremity of this bent portion I form a triangular notch; secondly, 50 I then form a ring of a certain width and thickness, having a diameter corresponding, or nearly so, to the watches to be supplied with the attachments. The outer side walls are tapered or beveled and the periphery formed with a groove corresponding to the diameter of the spring to be used. The ring is now divided into blocks, substantially as shown in Fig. 2, after which, or before division, the screw-threaded holes are formed to receive the fastening-screw, as seen in Fig. 3.

Giving a more particular and detailed description of the different parts, the letterA represents the spring, curved nearly to correspond with the circle of the case, so that with reasonable pressure it may be fitted in the angle thereof when the holding-block is set in place. This spring consists of the curved bar a, formed at the forward end with an upwardextending lip, b, which is curved outward, so as to engage with or jut against the block of the hinge of the case, and at the rear end is formed with the downward-extending leg 0, which is serrated or forked, substantially as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The object of this leg with serrated extremity is to afford 7 5 a base for the spring to rest on, so that the points shall set in the metal of the case, and thus afl'ord a sure base, and at the same time prevent any slipping of the spring forward or backward. The lip b at the forward end and the leg at the rear end are set in relation to each other on a half-twist, which gives the requisite forward and upward spring to the lip and secures a proper leverage across the holding-block. By this construction of the spring it will be seen that it will find lodgment and permanency at any point it may be set in the case. It will also be seen that the spring is made solid, there being no screw-hole through it, which is a material and essential improvement, insuring strength not otherwise attained and uniform elasticity.

The letter B represents the holding-block formed to fit the angle of the case, and having a curved shoulder, d, made therein to fit the 5 spring, and also having the screw-hole c centrally located therein.

The letter f represents the fastening-screw, which runs through the rim of the case down through the holding-block, and is the means 10 whereby the block is secured in its seat against the spring. lhe block B, on its outer face, as heretofore stated, is made to conform to the circular line of the inside of the rim of the watch to avoid any interference with the easing of the works, as well as to attain by this conformation an extended surface-bearing on the outside.

My improvements may be attached to any watch of the kind intended by putting the spring in place so that the lip shall set against the plate of the hinge of the case and the serrated foot set on the lower facing of the rim. Then by setting the holding-block so that the spring rests in the groove it may be pushed into position and the screw inserted and screwed home, thus securing the spring firmly in the desired position.

It will be observed that the combination of parts as described allows the spring to be set in any position, and admits of springs of different lengths being inserted in the same case, and this irrespective of the screw-hole in the case; and, further, that the points of the rear end of the spring engage the metal of the case and keep the spring in proper position without liability to turn sidewise or to move backward or forward. Again, the ends of the spring being on a half-twist, a leverage is secured across the holding-block, and it can spring the whole length without breaking.

Although I have herein described one practical way of manufacturing my attachments, it

ating-spring in a watch-case; but this is not my invention, nor is any claim made to such construction; but

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a watch-case, the combination of the curved spring A, constructed with the serrated heel 0 at one end and the extended curved lip b at the other end, the block with curved recess, and a fastening-screw for securing the spring in position without passing through the spring, substantially as described.

2. The means hereinbefore described for securing in position the curved spring that actuates the cover of a watch, consisting of the beveledshaped block provided with the curved recess on the inner face and the metallic screw secured to the case.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD F. BURKE.

Witnesses WILLIAM S. OLIVER, CHARLES J. MADDEN. 

